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5-point VS. Shield
Shield Booster Dangers
Lap Belt Dangers
Front-Facing Too Soon?
Locking in a Child Seat

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Child Seat Types
Used Seat Checklist


Restraint options for children over 40 lbs
Alternatives to belt-positioning booster seats for lap-belt only seating positions
and for children who are not ready or able to sit correctly in a booster seat.

 


Britax Regent
Britax Regent retails at $249.99.  Restraint uses internal five-point harness.  Can be used with a lap only belt up to 50 lbs.  Must be tethered from 50 lbs up.  Rated for use from 22 to 80 lbs.  The Britax Regent replaced the Britax Husky in fall of 2005.  Weight limits and tether requirements are the same for both seats.

Britax Marathon


Britax Boulevard

Britax Marathon retails at $229.99.  Britax Decathlon retails at $269.99.  Britax Boulevard retails at $289.99  Restraints use internal five-point harness.  The Marathon and Decathlon have four sets of harness slots.  The Wizard and Boulevard harness height adjusts with a knob and can be placed exactly at the needed level.  In the forward-facing position, these seats can be used with a lap only belt up to 65 lbs.  Tether is recommended, but not required.* 

The Britax Wizard was discontinued in fall 2005.

 

* The Britax Boulevards produced between March 1, 2006 and August 1, 2006 fall under a recall that advises the tether use be discontinued for children over 50 lbs.


Britax Decathlon


Britax Wizard


 SafeGuard Child Seat
SafeGuard Child Seat retails at $429.99.  Harness can be used from 22-65 lbs.    Seat includes 5-Point Retractable Harness System, SmartCore Foam, Built In Retractable LATCH Attachment, One-Hand Height Adjustment, Adjustable Headrest, Color-coded knobs, buttons, & Labels, Control Panel and Instructional DVD  Tether is recommended, but not required.

 SafeGuard Go
SafeGuard Go retails at $199.00.  Harness can be used from 30-60 lbs.  Converts to a backless booster for use from 40-100 lbs.  A tether is required for harness use.  Seat can be installed using LATCH, lap belt or lap/shoulder belt.  LATCH attachments can also be used when the seat is in booster mode.  Very lightweight and portable; comes with travel bag.

Sunshine Kids Radian65
Sunshine Kids Radian65 retails at $199.99.  Harness can be used up to 65 lbs.  Seat can also be used rear-facing from 5-33 lbs and folds for easy carrying.  Tether is recommended, but not required.

Sunshine Kids Radian80 retails at $279.99.  Harness can be used up to 80 lbs.  Seat can also be used rear-facing from 5-33 lbs and folds for easy carrying.  Tether is recommended, but not required.


Sunshine Kids Radian80


Graco Nautilus
Graco Nautilus retails at $149.99.  Harness can be used up to 65 lbs.  Seat converts to high back belt-positioning booster for use from 30-100 or backless booster for use from 40-100 lbs.  Tether is recommended but not required.

Recaro Como
Recaro Como retails at $249.99.  Harness can be used up to 70 lbs.  Seat can also be used rear-facing from 5-35 lbs.  Tether is recommended, but not required.

Recaro Signo retails at $289.99.  Harness can be used up to 70 lbs.  Seat can also be used rear-facing from 5-35 lbs.  The Signo harness height adjusts with a knob and can be placed exactly at the needed level.  Tether is recommended, but not required.


Recaro Signo


Evenflo Titan Elite
Evenflo Titan Elite retails at $99.99.  Harness can be used up to 50 lbs.  Seat can also be used rear-facing from 5-35 lbs.  Tether is recommended, but not required.

Evenflo Triumph Advance retails at $129.99.  Harness can be used up to 50 lbs.  Seat can also be used rear-facing from 5-35 lbs.  Tether is recommended, but not required.


Evenflo Triumph Advance


Ride Ryte Booster with E-Z-On Kid-Y Harness
E-Z-On Harnesses.  The 86-Y Harness can be used from 30-168 lbs.  The Kid-Y Harness can be used from 30-80 lbs in school buses and from 40-80 lbs in family vehicles.   The harness consists of a shoulder harness attached to single strap which attaches to a  lap only belt; it must be tethered at all times. For young children, the Ride Ryte booster must be used with the Kid-Y and is recommended when using the 86-Y between 40-80 lbs.  Suggested minimum use is 40 lbs.  For more information and prices on the harnesses, contact E-Z-On at 1-800-323-6598.  For information on the Ride Ryte booster, contact Michele Palumbo at 1-866-396-6776.
 


E-Z-On Kid-Y Harness


Ride Safer Travel Vest
Safe Traffic Systems Ride Safer Travel Vests come in two sizes.  The small vest is used for children 35-60 lbs (can be used with tether and lap belt OR lap/shoulder belt).  The large vest is used for children 50-80 lbs (Tether & lap-belt to 60 lbs; special dual tether & lap belt required for 60-80 lbs. [Dual tether ordered separately.] Lap-shoulder belt 50-80 lbs.)  Vest uses clips to hold seat belt in correct position despite child's movements.

Safety1st/Alpha Elite
 Apex 65
Safety 1st/Alpha Elite Apex 65 retails at $129.  Harness can be used from 22-65 lbs.  Seat converts to a high back belt-positioning booster for use from 40-100 lbs.  *This seat requires that the back of the vehicle seat be at least as high as the top of the child's ears.  It may not be a good choice for a vehicle with low seat backs.*
Discontinued Products

Fisher Price Safe Voyage
Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe (also called Safe Voyage EX) convertible car seat retails around $149.  Harness can be used to 55 lbs.  Seat can also be used rear-facing from 5-33 lbs.  Tether is recommended, but not required.  Discontinued mid-2007.

Car Seat Specialty Airway
Car Seat Specialty Airway, discontinued 2004, retailed at $99.99.  Harness can be used from 22-50 lbs.  Seat converts to a high back belt-positioning booster for use from 30-80 lbs.   

 


Fisher Price Futura 20/60
Fisher Price Futura, discontinued spring 2001, retailed at $95.  Was made in both a five-point harness model (shown) and tray-shield “four point” model.  Can be used with a lap only belt.  Rated for use from 20-60 lbs.

Britax Laptop
Britax Laptop, discontinued September 2002, retailed at $49.99.  Restraint fits over the lap of the child.  Can be used with a lap only belt, as well as lap shoulder.  Rated for use from 30 to 65 lbs with lap only belt. 

Retro-fitting shoulder belts:  This may be an expensive option, and some vehicle dealers will not accept the liability of retro-fitting.  Many models, including Jeep, GM, Chrysler, and Ford vehicles do have retrofit kits available for outboard belts.  There are no vehicles that can have a middle seating position retrofit with a shoulder belt.  The parent should check with the dealer as well as the corporate headquarters to discuss pricing and availability of retro-fit kits and installation.

Ultimately, a vehicle with lap/shoulder belts and head restraints in all used seating positions needs to be considered.  Except for securing car seats, lap belts do not provide adequate protection.  If a lap belt MUST be used until other alternatives are found, it should be worn low and snug over the hips.  An adult is safer in a lap-only belt than a child.

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